An expanding Devon brewery has been able to save time and money after calling in the expertise of Source for Business (SFB).

South Hams Brewery, an award-winning craft brewery, located adjacent to Slapton Ley, was in the process of completing a large expansion project which would allow it to significantly increase the amount of beer it produces. Already, in the last five years, production at the brewery has risen from 4,000 litres per week to 22,000 litres per week. Their new base, which will include an investment in brewing equipment, will give the family-owned business the capacity to produce up to 60,000 litres a week.

Water retailer SFB was originally called out to the site, at Stokeley Farm, near Kingsbridge, to offer advice about the disposal of trade effluent waste. After making some helpful suggestions, SFB were asked to assist with some difficulties the brewery were having in installing a wastewater connection compliant with the correct regulations.

This process involved identifying and sourcing the correct equipment, including an underground balance tank, sampling chamber, pumping chamber and waste meter, which SFB procured at a considerable cost saving. Further savings of around £10,000 were achieved by changing the project’s specification to a smaller discharge pipe, saving money on the pipework, installation and waste mater costs. The family’s farm is near the Slapton Ley nature reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the scheme involved diverting pipework so that a neighbouring wildlife meadow was not disturbed.

The brewery produces a total of 12 beers including the exceedingly popular Wild Blonde and Eddystone, and was awarded a Food & Drink Devon Gold award for a new limited edition, whisky tinged ale - Corryvreckan. It mainly makes draught products – although about 10 per cent of its output is bottled beers. As well as increasing production, the brewery’s expansion will see it hosting more music and food events from the site.